THE Norths State of Origin legends have agreed the North Queenslander fighting spirit will get the Maroons home in tonights must-win blockbuster in Sydney.

Queensland goes deep into enemy territory aiming to keep their eight-year reign alive, with many pundits having written them off because of a high injury toll.

But Origin greats Gene Miles, Greg Dowling and Dallas Johnson have no doubts the Maroons can pull off another historic victory, with players hailing from or currently playing in North Queensland central both to Queensland’s dominant reign and their hopes of winning tonight’s do-or-die second game.

Queenslanders love the underdog tag and the Maroons’ North Queensland stars – Johnathon Thurston, Matt Scott, Brent Tate, Aidan Guerra, Billy Slater and Sam Thaiday, with Jacob Lillyman a chance to be named on the bench today – are central to our hopes of keeping the series alive for an epic decider at Suncorp Stadium on July 9.

THEIR days on the court may be over but former Townsville Fire players Aneka Davis, Cherie Gallagher and Julia Duroux will be cheering from the sideline when the team takes on Bendigo in the grand final.